How to choose a voice recorder?

Voice recorder is a device that is often used not only by reporters or writers. This device also helps students who can not quickly record lectures. Sometimes a voice recorder can come in handy in everyday life (for example, if you need a voice reminder). The review given in the article will help you answer the question: how to choose a voice recorder, what criteria should be followed, and determine the best model for yourself.

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Criterias of choice

Consider the main characteristics that can guide you when choosing. This will help you optimally select the recorder according to the parameters.

Digital and analog:

• Analog models are obsolete. Record in them is made on the cartridge. On sale, they are almost gone.
• In digital devices, recording is performed on an external or built-in memory card. The difference is only in the recording format.

Recording format

Sound is recorded in compressed or uncompressed format. The most common formats are WMA and MP3:

1. The MP3 format is better in that you can listen to the recording right away without processing. Moreover, when compared with WMA, the information takes up less disk space.
2. As for the WMA format, recording is done without quality loss. In addition, the quality of the recording depends on the microphone.

Important! If you don’t have the goal of frequently recording conversations, it may make sense to simply take advantage of the standard features of most modern smartphones. Almost every one of them has good quality voice recorders. Given the cost of the devices and the model of your current gadget, it may be more reasonable to buy a new phone. Here you will find our ratings useful:

• Top branded smartphones.
• The best Chinese smartphones - inexpensive but good.

Recording time

This parameter depends on two factors:

• Record Format
• Memory card capacity.

Important! In this case, one must take into account this nuance: the greater the compression, the lower the sound quality. According to experts, the optimal mode is 128 kbps. For example, this is enough to record a lecture by a teacher.

Sensitivity

It all depends on the scenario of use of the device. The sensitivity parameter shows how far the recorder can record voice. It is one thing to record your own impressions or to take interviews, holding the device in front of a person’s face, and it’s another to record a teacher’s lecture.

Important! The only way to really evaluate the sensitivity of the device is to make a test recording, since the technical specifications do not always indicate reliable information. This is the only way to choose a portable voice recorder with good sensitivity.

Voice Activation

This function means the following: when there is silence, recording stops automatically. When the conversation resumes, recording starts again.

For example, you record a lecture in the audience, and when the lecturer writes something on the board or is distracted to prepare demonstration material, the recording stops.

Important! Activation is not activated immediately, and the first words may be “swallowed”.

The adjustment of the activation threshold is very convenient. That is, the user himself sets the threshold of silence. Below a predetermined threshold, recording stops.

The presence of additional modes

Sometimes it turns out that the recorder in the room works well, but on a noisy street, the recording quality is much worse.In this case, saving the use of such modes as “interview” or “street”, which provide for the inclusion of appropriate filters. At the same time, all sounds that are not like a voice are cut off. Of course, the voices obtained are not so distinct, but extraneous noise disappears completely.

Automatic gain control

This is an automatic adjustment of the microphone gain, depending on how loud the input signal is:

• If the person being recorded speaks loudly, the setting mutes the sound somewhat.
• If, on the contrary, it is too quiet, the volume increases.

Important! This function can be useful if you record several voices with different volume.

Playable frequencies

Depending on the range of reproduced frequencies, there are devices for recording music and speech. The optimal frequency range for a household recorder is 300-3000 Hz.

To record human speech, a larger range is not required.

Listening opportunity

This is fast-forward, allowing you to quickly listen to the recording. Separate models of voice recorders have the ability to fast-forward with an unchanged timbre of voice.

Adapter for telephone calls

Using the adapter, the device connects to the phone and recording is performed. This is not an extra opportunity for those who think how to choose a voice recorder for hidden recording.

Internal sorting

This function allows you to sort entries by topic folders. It is especially useful if you have to make many different notes. This can be a dictation of one’s own impressions of various events and, for example, recording a lecture. Naturally, sorting this information into different folders is much more convenient.

Usability

No matter how “sophisticated” the recorder may be, but if access to various functions is difficult, then all the advantages are nullified. Quickly getting the right information is the main advantage that determines the best voice recorder.

Batteries

As a rule, modern models of voice recorders use AAA batteries.

Important! There are also models with non-standard batteries. It is better to refrain from such a purchase, since they are very inconvenient.

Equipment

Of course, the minimum kit is the recorder itself. Batteries for it must be purchased separately. Sometimes, such accessories are included with the recorder:

• USB cable
• Built-in microphone.
• Battery - not always.

Important! Depending on the purpose for which you planned to buy a voice recorder, other information from ready-made publications on our website may be useful to you:

• Phone search by number.
• The best phone tracking app.
• How to remove wiretap from phone?

Connection

Most recorders connect to a PC using a USB port. In this case, the entries are presented as a set of files. This is a more convenient option.

Important! Sometimes the device has its own built-in program for extracting information.

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Voice recorder review - best models

This review of digital voice recorders includes models that are in greatest demand among customers.

Olympus WS-833:

• Model with a low-pass filter that allows you to filter out all extraneous sounds. Thanks to this, excellent recording quality is obtained.
• The case is equipped with highly sensitive stereo microphones, providing sound quality at the level of a CD disc.
• The model has 8 GB of internal memory, a backlit screen and a voice on function.

Sony ICD-PX440

The device operates on batteries, it is possible to install an additional memory card on 4 GB MicroSD format.

Important! “Smart” noise reduction system makes it possible for a very decent audio recording.

Ritmix RR-980:

• The color display allows you to view pictures.
• The device is equipped with player and hearing aid functions.
• The recorder has support for the most common audio formats.
• The amount of internal memory is 8 GB.

Important! The device can be used as an external drive to connect to a computer.

Olympus DM-650:

• The device supports all major audio formats, has a built-in memory of 4 GB, is equipped with a slot for external memory.
• There are noise, voice and low-pass filters.
• It is possible to connect to a PC.
• There is a very convenient function for deleting part of a record.
• The device is equipped with headphones and a cable for connecting to a PC.

Sony ICD-UX543:

• The device has a memory of 4 GB.
• It is possible to expand the memory due to an external source of microSD format.
• The device runs on battery power, it is possible to connect an external microphone.
• Record formats MP3 and PCM are possible.

Important! The recorder is equipped with an effective noise reduction system.

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Stock footage

This rating of voice recorders will allow you to navigate in numerous offers. But the final choice needs to be made only after you carefully study the technical characteristics and functionality of the equipment. After analyzing the information, you will make a purchase that will not disappoint you!